Sometimes, it appears "experts" are projecting their own views, biases, cultural perceptions onto the "hoarders" and generally their readers / viewers.
* minimalist aesthetic ( or generally the "cleanup" / "clean enough" aesthetic )
* cognitive style
* confusion at a massive amount of possessions / inability to organize
* not seeing value in things
* other, more personal and specific issues
For example, Elaine Birchall in her book "Conquer the Clutter" even makes such a statement as
> "your possessions cannot love you back"
Let's freeze this for a moment and reflect on what this suggests, saying something like that to the general reader. I don't exclude that there will be some people who might feel just that, but is this a typical reader, is this representative of the majority of readers ? Let's say I'm a reader.. she is talking to me.. she is saying "your possessions cannot love you back".. and I'm a techincal person, much of what I have are tools and materials.. what reaction does this invite, other than "whaaa..." ?
It's understandable, it's human, to project your own perspectives like that.
Unless you publish with your academic / clinical credentials prominently displayed, or even not, even just publish while having the credentials, claiming to be scientific, objective and impartial, and not making any disclaimer like "this is a personal, non-professional opinion". Can't have it both ways.
I project, too - I project myself as the supposed reader / listener - but, I think, I consider more than myself, in saying that such and such things don't make logical sense, or that they are biases or manipulations.
People publishing in their credentialled capacity should be held to a higher standard of proof, a standard that I seriously believe is not being met here.